Syracuse resident Peggy Charette made her own short pilgrimage on Sunday to experience a special Mass at St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s chapel in honor of St. Marianne Cope.

“I’ve always followed her, and I’ve had occasions where I need her help,” said Charette, who attended the service with several family members. “She’s always been there for me.”

While some local residents celebrated the canonization of St. Marianne — as well as St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who grew up near what now is Fonda — in Rome, Italy, many others rejoiced on local soil.

Charette’s mother, Martha Newell, said the canonization of the saints makes her realize how much faith she has.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said. “It gives me a great feeling.”

St. Marianne was born in Germany and immigrated with her family to Utica in 1839 when she was 2. She grew up in West Utica, attending school and Mass at St. Joseph’s parish before later becoming a nun. She eventually helped found St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse before going to Hawaii to tend to people with leprosy.

The Rev. John Comeskey led the service for more than 40 people at the hospital, noting St. Marianne’s affiliation with the medical center.

“It isn’t every day that a person can say that someone who is associated with the hospital is a saint in heaven,” he said prior to the service. “I’m really joyful that it’s someone local.”

About 50 miles east along what now is Route 5S, St. Kateri was born in 1656. During her short life — she died when she was 24 — she battled physical illness and persecution from her own people, but demonstrated humility and a deep devotion to God.

The Church of the Annunciation in Ilion also recognized the new saints on Sunday.

The Rev. Anthony Barratt said about 450 people were in attendance, several of them visitors.

“These were two extraordinary women, but on the other hand they breathed the same air that we breathe and walked in the same area that we do,” he said.

Barratt said it’s a celebration that extends throughout each church, creating one community.

“It’s a great inspiration and encouragement to us as we try to follow Christ in our own life,” he added.

Sister Dolorosa Lenk, who works in the Pastoral Care Department at St. Elizabeth, noted that having saints come from your area is rare.

“To have two of them right here in your locale, that is really special,” she said.